Cover the martyrs

The tribute by Mr Hamid Hussain of ISPR for Captain Qamar Abbas who embraced martyrdom while fighting in Swat was very moving. I am a veteran of two Indo Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. I know how my parents, relatives and friends worried about me and wanted to know about my welfare. They all prayed for me and all the others fighting for the country. I saw many young soldiers embracing martyrdom while fighting the enemy in a regular battle. Some were rewarded with gallantry awards and some remained unsung heroes. Swat operations, though, are of a different nature where you cannot identify the enemy and you can be hit from any direction. These are very difficult and dangerous operations. There is no set pattern of fighting. I do not know this young captain who laid down his life for his country but I think those who embrace martyrdom in these operations deserve more coverage. The ISPR should give out complete account of all those who gave their lives for the country with their photos and op-details. -MUHAMMAD AZHAR KHWAJA, Lahore, via e-mail, June 19.